canada: privatization, contamination
and nationalization
In Canada, even with an abundance of
freshwater, it cannot be taken for granted.
You must respect the water that you have or
suffer the consequences, as the people of
the small town of Walkerton, Ontario
discovered. Seven lives were lost and more
than 2000 people hospitalized when the
town’s water source was contaminated with
E. coli bacteria as a result of
mismanagement.
The commodification of water diversion
and extraction from the Great Lakes is a
divisive issue in Canada. Groups in both
Canada and the US are concerned that a
recent proposal by the 8 governors of the
Great Lakes states, supported by two
Canadian provinces, directly threatens
these lakes, which form the world’s largest
freshwater ecosystem. In simple terms, the
proposal would establish a scheme for
authorizing diversions of Great Lakes
waters, yet it imposes no explicit limit on
the quantity of water that may be diverted.
Nor is there a limit on the duration or
term defined for such diversions or the
purpose or geographic region for which such
waters may be used.
On the issue of privatization of
municipal systems, there have been more
positive developments. A long-standing
privatization in Hamilton, one of Canada’s
largest cities, was taken back into the
public system after years of poor
performance, illegal sewage dumping and
high costs. Popular resistance also stopped
a proposed privatization of wastewater
services in Vancouver. These are great
victories for grassroots organizations in
Canada.
more information
Council of Canadians
